Balliol College

Balliol graduate students (members of the Middle Common Room) enjoy the advantages of being part of a large, established college and of forming an independent and active graduate community. The Graduate Centre, with the beautiful medieval building of Holywell Manor at its heart, has a thriving academic and social life, and the college is proud of its large, lively and international graduate community.

Students come from over 40 different countries and study an even greater variety of subjects. There is a programme of interdisciplinary seminars with distinguished outside speakers of many varieties and the Middle Common Room organises excellent internal research seminars. 

Balliol College also offers a range of graduate scholarships, and there is financial support in the form of bursaries, conference and research project grants, and additional funding for college activities.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation

Balliol's graduate housing is located around the college's Graduate Centre at Holywell Manor, some ten minutes' walk from the Broad Street site. It consists of Holywell Manor itself, which dates from 1516 (including James Fairfax Yard, an annexe attached to the Manor), some rooms at Jowett Walk, and four accommodation blocks at the Master’s Field, completed in 2021.

Holywell Manor is situated in a large and elegant garden and the building comprises three wings as well as communal areas such as the lounge, music room, gym, TV room, bar, laundry room and Middle Common Room.

All rooms within the Graduate Centre are for single occupancy only. Unfortunately, Balliol College is unable to offer suitable accommodation for couples or families. The rooms vary in size, age and furnishings; the rent also varies accordingly. At the Master’s Field there are en-suite bedrooms available, all with access to a kitchen and communal space shared with five other people. Elsewhere toilets and shower rooms are communal and there are kitchens available on most floors; most rooms contain their own wash-basin, and there are a small number of en-suite rooms.

Balliol is able to offer single occupancy accommodation to most new first-year graduate students, usually in the Graduate Centre. First-year students who cannot be initially accommodated are placed on a waiting list and allocated rooms if they become available. Accommodation in later years is allocated by ballot.

Balliol has a number of ground-floor rooms designed and adapted for disabled use, to include accessible bathroom and kitchen facilities. To discuss individual requirements please contact the Graduate Administrator.

Further information about accommodation at Balliol College is available on the college website.

Meals

Balliol has an excellent kitchen, managed by its award-winning Executive Head Chef, Bertrand Faucheux. The dining hall on the Broad Street site serves a buffet-style lunch and dinner seven days a week, and breakfast on weekdays, during term time. Hall meals are subsidised by the college and provide healthy and varied menus, including vegetarian and vegan options.

The cheapest and most convenient way to eat in the college's dining hall is by pre-payment (NB the accommodation charge at Balliol does not cover meals in the dining hall).

All rooms at the Master’s Field site have access to a kitchen; elsewhere in the Graduate Centre there are kitchens for self-catering on most floors. The facilities vary greatly in size, equipment and quality, but most are equipped with a cooktop, oven, and at least nominal cold storage. In many cases, a kitchen becomes the social hub for nearby residents. The kitchens also play an integral role in the Balliol MCR's large student cooking events.

Further information on Balliol College's catering services is available on the college website.